BARNSLEY may find it more difficult to employ their long throw tactic next season after the use of pitchside towels was banned by the EFL for 2023/24.
Michael Duff’s Reds – like many other teams – placed towels at the side of the pitch to wipe the ball ahead of long throws taken by the likes of Tom Edwards then Bobby Thomas.
They caused some controversy at away games with Bolton allegedly putting a towel in a puddle in an FA Cup tie in November then Shrewsbury’s Carl Winchester pouring a water bottle over one the following week.
The EFL releases new rules every summer and the towels are now prohibited in this year’s changes.
The EFL statement read: “Clubs will no longer be permitted to use towels or other articles, including items obtained from spectators to dry footballs during matches.”
There will also be a ‘multiball system’ at all games with balls ‘placed on cones in designated areas at pitchside to help increase the time of the ball being in play.’
